All talks » Church: The Lord's Supper

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Date: 20 May 2020
Bible:
Speaker: Andrew Latimer

The Church: The Lord’s Supper

 

1. The Lord’s supper proclaims Christ’s death in the past

a) the fulfilment of the Passover

  

  “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:14, cf. Exodus 12:1-28)

  

  b) the institution of the New Covenant

  

  "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:20, cf. Exodus 24:8-11)

  

  2. The Lord’s Supper enables us to enjoy communion in the present

  

  a) Communion with Christ

  

Transubstantiation: (Roman Catholicism) Elements become Christ’s body and blood and are re-presented to God

 

Consubstantiation: (Luther) Christ is present in, with, and under the elements

 

Memorialism: (Zwingli) The elements are symbols to help believers remember Christ

 

Spiritual Communion: (Calvin) Whilst receiving the symbols believers feed on Christ spiritually by faith

  

  

  We do not feed on Christ physically…

  but we do feed on Christ spiritually by faith

  

  The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16 cf. John 6:53)

  

  

  b) Communion with one another

  

  Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread…28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgement on himself.  (1 Corinthians 10:17, 11:28-29)

  

  3. The Lord’s Supper anticipates Christ’s banquet in the future

  

  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” (Luke 22:17-18, cf. 22:28-30)